At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer; Me no own Tolkien’s estate. Me only own Lily, Lathwen, Eothain, and the rest of those peoples who don’t belong to Mr. Tolkien.

Lathwen stalked down to the river, her breath turning white on the cool breeze.

She reached the bank and began to pace. Why did he want to know? What else would he have asked given the chance? He was dangerous. She couldn’t and wouldn’t allow him to know of her past. It would be a disgrace. Not only that, but he’d find out that she was a mere peasant and maybe even try to take her away from her girls. She didn’t want that to happen. It wouldn’t happen. She wouldn’t let it.

She scowled and shuddered at the thought of being put back in Bree. Stupid elf. Lathwen sighed…she had come to a decision. She wouldn’t tell him anything about her or Lily’s past. He didn’t need to know anyway…it wasn’t any of his concern.

“If you pace any harder you’ll wear a hole in the ground.” A mild voice said from behind her. Lathwen whirled and saw Nestaron standing there. She frowned at him, “So what? I’ve always wanted to pace a hole in the ground anyway.” She growled. Nestaron raised his eyes to the heavens and walked down to her side.

“He didn’t mean any harm Lathwen.” He said slowly. Lathwen lost her scowl but said just as fiercely as before, “I don’t care. He needn’t be so nosy…wait…how do you know about that?” Nestaron smirked, “We could hear every word.”

Lathwen muttered something under her breath. Then she said out loud, “I don’t understand him. The stupid elf chases me across all of Arda…literally…while trying to downsize my reputation and life most likely, then all of a sudden he turns out to be mister nice guy and he lets me take care of his nephews and he acts like he trusts me. Then he wants to know about my past when he won’t even tell me about Gondolin because he doesn’t trust me really, its all an act, and Gondolin really isn’t *his* past…I just wanted to know what it looked like! And he expects me to talk to *him* about *my* past which is the most painful thing I’ve had to…”

Lathwen trailed off when she realized her mistake. Nestaron looked worried, “Painful?” Lathwen scowled, “Never you mind.” She continued pacing, “CURSE THE ELF TO BLAZES!” She shouted to the air while Nestaron winced. “Apparently I did something wrong.” Came a cool voice from behind them.

Nestaron cringed and held his hands in the air, “I said nothing wrong!” Lathwen turned and glared at a disconcerted Glorfindel. She imagined him painted as one of the targets the Imladris elves used for shooting practice. Very satisfying image.

Nestaron fidgeted in the heavy silence, “Er…I’ll be going then…” He practically ran back to the cave. Lathwen placed her hands on her hips and asked, “How long have you been here?” Glorfindel shrugged, “Long enough.”

Lathwen’s mouth dropped open. She had expected him to deny it…but no…he *had* been spying on them! Stupid cheating liar! Lathwen managed to say, “You…you were spying on us? How dare you!”

Glorfindel frowned and walked toward Lathwen, who stood her ground firmly. “You do know that you have sudden mood swings…correct?”
“I do not *my lord*.”
“Really? One moment you are very hospitable and comforting…even worried one might say. The next you…”
“What? I’m what? Say it master elf!”
“A terrifying demon woman with a rage that sparks a wildfire. The Valar would run from you child.”

Lathwen scowled and fought the urge to become violent. How dare he judge her! She hissed from between clenched teeth, “On the contrary my lord…I am *never* and refuse to be hospitable or comforting or kind to a bold as brass elf like you!” Glorfindel gave a bitter laugh, “I’m an elf Lathwen. I, unfortunately for you, am gifted with a wonderful memory. I still remember that night.”

Lathwen blanched and whispered, “What night?” Glorfindel stepped closer to her, causing Lathwen to step back. “Shall I refresh your memory?” He said with obvious delight, “The night you were out riding alone…in the meadows…” Lathwen turned pale and Glorfindel chuckled at her discomfort at the memory. “Remember it now? No? Well let me help you remember.”

He stepped closer to her…Lathwen was now backed against a huge oak tree. Her heart beat faster…she had no weapons…she couldn’t get away from him. Glorfindel smiled wolfishly at her, “I seem to remember,” He said with relish lacing his smooth voice, “That when I was sorrowing, you saw me and came to comfort me. You held me in your arms for a long time…and that is a time I’ll never forget.”

Lathwen’s angry look evaporated and was replaced with flat out fear. Glorfindel chuckled at her expression, “Yes…you heard me Lathwen Alanessa. The time I spent in your arms…surrounded by you was a blissful one. I felt as if I were swept away to a land of dreams.”

He came closer and Lathwen flinched, as pale as death. Glorfindel’s hand reached up and brushed her cheek, causing her to shiver. He let his hand fall to his side and said in a deeper voice, “Would you like to know what I felt?” Lathwen shook her head vehemently, her eyes wide.

Glorfindel smiled, “I’ll tell you anyway.” He paused, enjoying watching her squirm with dread. “Fire.” He whispered, his eyes ablaze with an uncanny light. “Fire in my blood. Love. Desire. Do you know what you do to me?” His voice was barely audible. Lathwen turned her face away, panic rolling off of her like a scent. Glorfindel whispered, “Look at me Lathwen. I desire you. I love you. I will be yours forever.”

Lathwen was visibly shocked, but surprisingly her expression hardened and she said in a rough voice, “You do not love me. You desire a lady you cannot have.”

Glorfindel blinked…shocked at her refusal. After all they had been through together…she refused him…his love…she denied it…

But he did love her. He had showed her in the wrong way. He had been to bold…he had gone to far. He didn’t mean to spill his feelings like that…and now he would pay. He knew it.

Lathwen continued, stepping towards him and enjoying the pained, sorrowful, horrified expression on his face as he stepped backwards. She went on. “You feel nothing for me but lust. Go court some other woman…any lady but one of the Outlaw Maiden’s. I despise you and your actions Lord Glorfindel…after this, you are to never return.”

Lathwen stalked past him toward the cave, which wasn’t far away. Glorfindel blinked and hopelessly groping for the edges of his sanity, “Wait…Lathwen…I did not mean it like that…I did not mean to say that I didn’t mean it! Please…I beg you, listen to me!”

Lathwen whirled, her face terrifying in her white-hot rage. “YOU ARE TO *NEVER* RETURN!” She bared her teeth like a wildcat and growled at him. Literally. It was frightening.

She turned her back on him…and walked away. Glorfindel sank down to his knees with a moan of despair. What had he done?

***
Lathwen startled the others when she stalked back inside muttering curses and swears that even Lily wouldn’t attempt to say. Nestaron and Ridhion were playing cards with Lily, while Nestariel and the diplomat were conversing. Nestariel asked in surprise, “Bessie! What’s wrong?” Lathwen sighed and suddenly her angry countenance slipped away, revealing confusion and sadness.

She beckoned Nestariel over and whispered in her ear for a full two minutes. Each second Nestariel’s face grew more and more horrified. When Lathwen was finished she gasped and cried, “Bessie! You didn’t!” Tears poured down Lathwen’s cheeks, “WHAT ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?! HE CANNOT…I CANNOT ALLOW THAT! FOR SO MANY REASONS I CANNOT!”

Lily and Edhelwen rushed over, looking thoroughly alarmed. Nestariel whispered into Edhelwen’s ear while Lily comforted Lathwen. Edhelwen’s mouth dropped to the floor and she shouted, “BY THE VALAR! We should have known something was up!” She quickly whispered to Lily who clamped a hand over her mouth, green eyes wide with surprise.

She looked at Lathwen in dismay, “Oh dear!” Nestaron, Ridhion, and Maetherion were looking worried. “What is it?” Nestaron asked.

At that point, Glorfindel entered the room. Lily shot him a glare and motioned for the girls to follow her. They all trouped into their room where they did their best to be oh so very quiet as they talked.

Maetherion silently turned to Glorfindel, looking for an answer. “What did you do?” Nestaron asked. The elf lord sat in a stool.

Glorfindel rubbed his eyes and said wearily with a bite to his sarcastic voice, “Oh nothing much…just declared my undying love for her…I might have added something about the desire I felt for her...backed her against a tree while we were talking to.”

There was silence. You could hear a pin drop. All of Glorfindel’s companions were staring at him, mouths open and eyes wide. He scowled at them, “Don’t just look at me! Say something! Anything!” Ridhion blinked, “Judging by her personality…I don’t think you’ll be able to speak with her for quite a while.”

Glorfindel scowled, “Thank you. That makes me feel so much better.” Ridhion shrugged apologetically. The four elven males looked up anxiously when the four warrior maidens walked back into the room, faces emotionless.

Lathwen stepped forward, “My lords…I think it is best we parted. The Outlaw Maiden’s are leaving soon. Pardon our sudden lack of hospitality…but we wish you to be gone by the morrow.”

Glorfindel scowled and interrupted, “When will we see you again?” Lathwen rested a cool glance on him. “Why do you ask?”
“So I can see my nephews again of course!”

Lathwen gave him a withering look and said, “You are taking them with you master elf. In answer to your question…never. We will never rest eyes on each other’s faces again. We leave at noon. I expect you will be gone by then.”

Glorfindel roughly stood, causing the stool to topple. “No need to worry my ladies.” He said in a bitter tone. “We’ll be far away by then. Come along friends…we’re leaving.”